[1] The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ith'i-el, to
Ith'i-el and Ucal: [2] Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the
understanding of a man. [3] I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge
of the Holy One. [4] Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has
gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what
is his son's name? Surely you know! [5] Every word of God proves true; he
is a shield to those who take refuge in him. [6] Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar. [7] Two things I ask of thee;
deny them not to me before I die: [8] Remove far from me falsehood and
lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is
needful for me, [9] lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, "Who is the
LORD?" or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. [10]
Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held
guilty. [11] There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their
mothers. [12] There are those who are pure in their own eyes but are not
cleansed of their filth. [13] There are those--how lofty are their eyes,
how high their eyelids lift! [14] There are those whose teeth are swords,
whose teeth are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy
from among men. [15] The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they cry.
Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough": [16] Sheol, the
barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire which never
says, "Enough." [17] The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a
mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the
vultures. [18] Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not
understand: [19] the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a
rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a
maiden. [20] This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her
mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong." [21] Under three things the earth
trembles; under four it cannot bear up: [22] a slave when he becomes king,
and a fool when he is filled with food; [23] an unloved woman when she gets
a husband, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress. [24] Four things on
earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: [25] the ants are a people
not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; [26] the badgers are
a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the rocks; [27] the
locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; [28] the lizard you
can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. [29] Three things are
stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride: [30] the lion,
which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; [31] the
strutting cock, the he-goat, and a king striding before his people. [32] If
you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising
evil, put your hand on your mouth. [33] For pressing milk produces curds,
pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.